Manager, Creative Content Kids & Preschool (Vehicles, Action Figures & Fisher Price)

About the role

Mattel Studios is seeking a Manager, Creative Content to lead the development and execution of a dynamic slate of kids and preschool animated programming based on Mattel’s brands.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the creative development and execution of a slate of animated long-form and short-form projects across TV, streaming, YouTube, and digital platforms
• Serve as the primary creative executive on select projects while partnering with senior creative leadership on high-priority franchise initiatives
• Drive strong story and franchise development in collaboration with writers, producers, studios, showrunners, and creative talent to ensure compelling, brand-aligned storytelling
• Provide strategic creative leadership and actionable feedback across all stages of development and production, including pitches, outlines, scripts, visual development, casting, animatics, edits, and final delivery
• Partner cross-functionally with Franchise, Consumer Products, Marketing, Digital, Publishing, and other internal teams to support cohesive franchise-building strategies through content
• Manage and strengthen relationships with external production studios, creators, agents, writers, and industry partners
• Identify and cultivate emerging creative talent, new storytelling opportunities, and innovative content formats that support Mattel’s long-term franchise goals
• Oversee multiple concurrent productions and development pipelines, ensuring creative quality, brand consistency, and alignment with business priorities
• Collaborate with production and studio teams to proactively solve creative and production challenges while maintaining timelines and quality expectations
• Contribute meaningfully to internal greenlight discussions, franchise strategy conversations, and content planning initiatives
• Support presentation development, pitch materials, and executive-facing creative documents for internal and external stakeholders
• Serve as a key liaison for asset requests, cross-functional creative needs, and communication between departments

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in animation, television, streaming, or digital content development and production
• Proven experience managing creative projects and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders across multiple stages of production
• Strong understanding of storytelling fundamentals, including character development, structure, pacing, comedy, and emotional resonance for kids and preschool audiences
• Demonstrated ability to lead creative discussions, provide thoughtful and constructive notes, and influence decision-making
• Experience working with franchise-driven or brand-based entertainment content
• Strong visual storytelling sensibility and understanding of animation production pipelines from development through delivery
• Familiarity with digital-first storytelling and audience engagement strategies, particularly on YouTube and emerging platforms
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills
• Passion for animation, kids' media, and the evolving entertainment landscape